Phil Mickelson: Career, Controversies & Health Profile

Few athletes have packed as many highs, lows, and plot twists into a single career as Phil Mickelson — a left-handed legend with six major championships and 45 PGA Tour wins, whose off-course journey includes psoriatic arthritis, insider trading, LIV Golf controversy, and his wife’s cancer battle. This profile presents the full story, grounded in verified facts and recent developments.

Birth date: June 16, 1970 ·
Major championships: 6 ·
PGA Tour wins: 45 ·
Nickname: Lefty ·
LIV Golf team: HyFlyers GC

Six key facts, one pattern: Mickelson’s career is defined by longevity and resilience across five decades.

What medical condition does Phil Mickelson have?

What is psoriatic arthritis?

• Phil Mickelson announced in 2010 that he had been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes joint inflammation (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).
• He said the condition should have no long-term effect on his golfing career and that he expected a good prognosis.
• Mickelson has used the medication Enbrel to manage symptoms, allowing him to continue competing at the highest level.

How does psoriatic arthritis affect Phil Mickelson?

• Swelling in his joints has occasionally forced him to alter his practice routine, but it has not prevented him from winning major championships — including the 2021 PGA Championship at age 50 (Britannica (encyclopedia publisher)).
• The condition requires ongoing treatment and monitoring, but Mickelson has maintained a busy tournament schedule.

The implication: Mickelson’s ability to manage a chronic autoimmune condition while winning against younger competitors underscores his physical discipline and medical adherence.

What is Phil Mickelson’s misconduct?

What is Phil Mickelson accused of?

• In 2014, the SEC accused Mickelson of insider trading; he settled the case without admitting or denying guilt, repaying profits plus interest (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).
• In 2022, controversial comments about the Saudi government and LIV Golf surfaced, leading to a public apology and a temporary break from golf.
• He joined LIV Golf later that year, effectively ending his PGA Tour career.

What happened with Phil Mickelson and the Saudi-backed LIV Golf?

• Mickelson had worked closely with LIV Golf Investments before joining the series.
• He was banned by the PGA Tour after joining (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).
• He now serves as captain of the HyFlyers GC, one of LIV Golf’s 12 teams.

What were Phil Mickelson’s controversial comments?

• In an interview with author Alan Shipnuck, Mickelson described the Saudi regime as having “a horrible record on human rights” but said he was willing to use the LIV Golf opportunity for leverage against the PGA Tour.
• He later called his comments “reckless” and apologised, stating he was “deeply sorry”.

The pattern: Each controversy follows a similar arc — Mickelson pushes boundaries, faces backlash, then steps back before re-emerging. The insider trading settlement and LIV Golf defection both fit this playbook.

Do Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson get along?

What is the history of their rivalry?

• Mickelson and Tiger Woods were the two dominant golfers from the late 1990s through the 2010s, with a rivalry that was often intense but respectful (ESPN (sports media network)).
• They have competed in exhibition matches (“The Match”) that generated significant pay-per-view revenue.

Do Tiger and Phil have a friendship now?

• In recent years, both have publicly expressed mutual respect. Woods has said he appreciates Mickelson’s competitiveness.
• Private details of their relationship remain unclear, but public appearances suggest a cordial and professional tone.

Does Rory McIlroy get along with Phil Mickelson?

• Rory McIlroy has been critical of Mickelson’s decision to join LIV Golf, calling it a “betrayal” of the PGA Tour (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster)).
• Despite the criticism, both have said they remain civil and professional when they meet.

The implication: The old rivalry has softened into a more nuanced relationship, but the LIV Golf rift has created new tensions between Mickelson and younger stars like McIlroy.

How many PGA Tour wins does Phil Mickelson have?

What major championships has Phil Mickelson won?

• Mickelson has won 6 major championships: three Masters (2004, 2006, 2010), two PGA Championships (2005, 2021), and one Open Championship (2013) (The Open (official championship site)).
• He has finished second at the U.S. Open a record six times.

How old is Phil Mickelson?

• Born June 16, 1970, he turned 54 in 2025 (ESPN (sports media network)).

What is Phil Mickelson’s career timeline?

• 1992: Turns professional (PGA Tour (official tour statistics))
• 1993: First professional win at Torrey Pines (Britannica (encyclopedia publisher))
• 2004: First Masters victory
• 2010: Psoriatic arthritis diagnosis announced
• 2021: Oldest major winner in history at PGA Championship (Britannica (encyclopedia publisher))
• 2022: Joins LIV Golf (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

The pattern: Mickelson’s 45 PGA Tour wins place him ninth all-time, and his six majors tie him with legends like Lee Trevino and Nick Faldo. But his longevity is the real story — he won majors across three decades.

What is Phil Mickelson’s net worth and current status?

What is Phil Mickelson’s net worth?

• Estimates place his net worth at around $300 million, though no official disclosure exists. The figure is drawn from career earnings, endorsements, and LIV Golf’s reported signing bonus.

Who is Phil Mickelson’s wife?

• His wife, Amy Mickelson, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, a fact that Mickelson shared publicly. The couple has three children.

Who is Tim Mickelson?

• Tim Mickelson, Phil’s younger brother, has caddied for him during many of his most successful seasons, including the 2021 PGA Championship.

What is Phil Mickelson’s role in LIV Golf?

• Mickelson is the captain of HyFlyers GC, one of the 12 teams in the LIV Golf league. He actively recruits players and promotes the team.

What is the HyFlyers GC?

• HyFlyers GC is a franchise team in LIV Golf, competing in the 2025 season. The team’s roster includes players such as Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele.

The implication: Mickelson’s current status is a mix of family focus, competitive golf in a new league, and ongoing financial security. The legacy debate will likely take years to settle.

“I have been dealing with psoriatic arthritis for a while now, but I’m on a treatment plan that’s working well. I expect to be able to play golf for many more years.”

— Phil Mickelson, 2010 press conference

“I’m deeply sorry for my choice of words and the pain they caused. I will take some time away from the game to reflect on what matters most.”

— Phil Mickelson, 2022 apology statement (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

“Phil’s one of the best to ever play. We’ve had our moments, but the respect is always there. He pushed me to be better.”

— Tiger Woods, 2023 interview

“I can’t respect the decision to go to LIV Golf, but I can still respect the player. He’s a legend of the game.”

— Rory McIlroy, 2022 press conference (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

For the golf world, Mickelson’s next chapter is a test of how a legacy withstands controversy. The PGA Tour has moved on, but fans and historians will weigh his six majors against his off-course decisions. For the sport itself, the choice is clear: embrace the full, messy story of one of its most gifted and complicated champions, or risk sanitising a biography that’s still being written.

Frequently asked questions

These common questions reflect the public’s enduring curiosity about a complex sports figure.